Put down

BY TODD L. DISHER
Frontiersman
Published on Thursday, February 4, 2010 7:13 PM AKST

HOUSTON — In an effort to curb costs, four dogs and four cats impounded at the Houston Animal Shelter were shot Tuesday after being in the city’s animal control center for three months.

Houston, the only city in the Mat-Su Borough with its own animal control powers, is required by municipal code to keep unidentified animals for three days and identified animals for five days, police Sgt. Charlie Seidl said. After this, the city can either adopt out or dispose of the animals in a humane manner.

“Preferably, we want to adopt them out. ... I adopted one of the cats in the pound myself,” said Seidl, who killed the animals. “But these animals, we have had them in the pound since the first week of November.”

ROBERT DeBERRY/Frontiersman Houston’s chief animal safety and protection officer Dennis Lords shows some chain link kennels that were in use when this 2006 photo was taken. More permanent kennels were in the process of being built to help ease over crowding.

Shooting the animals is the only option the city has for euthanasia, Seidl said, as one of the department’s officers has not yet finished his training in administering a lethal injection. Seidl said the conversation had been going on for some time as to what to do with the long-term residents of the shelter.

“Officially, on Friday the 29th, the mayor had called and asked about the status of the shelter. That was when he explicitly expressed the animals needed to be euthanized,” Seidl said. “We were not going to do that without expressed direction. On Friday, I made sure I had that clarification.”

Houston Mayor Roger Purcell refused to comment on what happened at the shelter, but he did deny giving Seidl an order to put the animals down.

“I didn’t know any animals had died until (Wednesday) morning. I’m in Juneau right now,” Purcell said.

Deputy Mayor Lance Wilson said he was not aware of exactly what or when an order was issued, but he said there has been discussion of the rising cost of running the shelter. When Wasilla chose not to renew the contact it had with Houston to cover its animal control duties, the staff and budget of the shelter had to be cut, Wilson said. However, he said that as soon as officials cut the budget the number of intake animals increased.

“I think it’s probably due to the economy being worse. People can’t afford to keep their pets anymore, so they drop them off here,” Wilson said.

The council approved two increases in the shelter’s budget during the last year to pay for additional food and medical care of the animals, Wilson said. But the city has to operate on finite resources and provide a number of city services using those resources.

There are currently no animals in the Houston shelter.

With the cuts, it is now up to Community Services Officer Dennis Lords to run the shelter and coordinate adoption efforts. Besides the one cat he adopted himself, Seidl said the city has been fairly successful at getting dogs and cats rescued.

Julia Durand, president of Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue, said her group has had a long relationship with the Houston Animal Shelter. Not two weeks ago, she said, the Wasilla-based group rescued four dogs from Houston. This time, however, Durand said the group did not receive a call before the dogs were euthanized.

If they had called, she said, a member of the rescue group would have gone to the shelter to evaluate the dogs. Unless the dogs were aggressive enough to attack humans, Durand said the group would have found foster homes for them while trying to adopt them out at weekly adoption clinics in Wasilla and Anchorage.

“We are always in need of more foster homes. The more we have, the more we can rescue,” Durand said. “But when there has been a need — like when they called two weeks ago — we would have found people that would have fostered these dogs.”

Instead of renewing its contract with Houston, Wasilla signed a deal for the Mat-Su Borough to take the city’s strays and give-a-ways. Palmer has long had such a deal with the borough.

Bob Haskell, the animal control chief for the borough, said Houston has not approached the borough about taking over animal control duties from the city, but said that “it makes sense to have one entity over the entire borough’s animals.”

The borough completed a new animal shelter facility last March that can house an average of 100 cats and 100 dogs, Haskell said. The average intake is between 300 and 400 animals each month. But even with these numbers, euthanizing a dog or cat to free up more space is rare, he said.

“One of the nice things about the new shelter is that we really seldom have to answer that question as to what is too long,” Haskell said. “We haven’t had to euthanize any cats for time and space issues since September. ... In January, a total of three dogs were euthanized for space.”

When they do have to put an animal down, Haskell said several members of the shelter’s staff are trained to administer a lethal chemical injection.

As for euthanasia by way of a gunshot, it is a method not endorsed by either the American Veterinarian Medical Association or the American Humane Society, according to the groups’ websites.

Deputy Mayor Wilson said Houston does have an agreement with a local veterinarian to administer lethal injections. However, the rate charged per euthanization has recently skyrocketed, he said. What started at a base rate of $65 per dog is now almost double that.

This is why the community service officer is getting the necessary certification himself, Wilson said. But in the meantime, the city had to look at other options.

Wilson said the council examined having the borough take over animal control in Houston when Wasilla decided not to renew its contract. At that time, Wilson said, the council thought it would be more cost effective to downsize but continue with animal control. In light of recent events, Wilson said he expects the conversation to come up again.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

Copyright © 2010 Frontiersman

Comments

73 comment(s)

    ashamed alaskan wrote on Feb 16, 2010 9:26 AM:

    " I can't believe what I just read. I have been to the new shelter. you mean to tell me that all the money went into the shelter and they can't afford to take a class in euthenize animals. This is animal cruelity. I have worked at a vet hospital and have watched animals put down. It is down with care, You are crossing the line and giving Alaska a bad name, I will not donate to this place. Very sad. "

    David wrote on Feb 11, 2010 9:45 PM:

    " Looks like the citizens of Huston Alaska need to learn there place and submit to the mayors needs! "

    akmom wrote on Feb 11, 2010 1:14 PM:

    " All of you protecting the executioner have blood on your hands............ "

    To HoustonJulia wrote on Feb 11, 2010 10:23 AM:

    " According to what we saw in 2008, confirmed by repeated complaints, Houston shelter wasn’t a “good shelter” before it lost the Wasilla contract. At best a short stay facility without staff to actively promote the animals’ adoption. But Houston is not alone nor is Alaska any different from other states. Small and large animal shelters are left at the bottom of the funding by legislators. And they always will. Animals don't vote. Not until a strong committed group of volunteers or a 501C3 is set up will your animals or anyone’s get the care they really need. alaskadognews.com "

    pheonix wrote on Feb 10, 2010 12:59 AM:

    " Adoption not posted in paper because they dont ask.. im sure, HAC not run like other shelter because there not enough ppl caring. Bullet to the head is EFFECTIVE. HUMANE is caring when you do it. not to save money or because you were told to. I knew a great man whom took every one of his dogs to the woods and said goodbye, put a bullet in them and burried them. He loved them and they loved him. Oh and we care more about animals because they HAVE NO VOICE! "

    All Creature Lover wrote on Feb 9, 2010 4:51 PM:

    " I totally agree with houstonjulia about how they should start giving more money to the animal shelter. "

    HoustonJulia wrote on Feb 8, 2010 12:51 PM:

    " Before Roger jacked up the price up on Wasilla, Houston had enough traffic at the animal shelter to keep a full staff to run the shelter efficiently and humanelyl under the care of Dennis Lords. Roger doubled what he wanted Wasilla to pay, so naturally they went to the Borough's new facility. Maybe Wasilla wasn't carryng their weight, but at least they made it possible for Houston to run a proper shelter. "

    HoustonJulia wrote on Feb 8, 2010 12:45 PM:

    " I suggest Houston quit paying Nancy Sult, President of the almost defunct Houston Chamber of Commerce $500 a month to keep the Visitor Center open year round (that's in addition to electric, heat, phone, and internet services.) With that money they could easily finance the $100 or so it costs for humane euthanasia of a few animals. "

    land for sale in houston cheap wrote on Feb 8, 2010 11:15 AM:

    " as a long time houston resident allow me to fill in some blanks. When city council started animal control they had no money. so they collected animal registration fees, before they had a facility or idea of what to do. (pre sales tax days) the facility they located is the old sanitation station on kenlar road. It is a horrible place. If we cannot provide proper care for the animals then what is the use of wasting money on animal control employees. hmmmm? lets get rid of it all. Its way past time houston went back to the borough "

    to wait and see wrote on Feb 8, 2010 9:52 AM:

    " The mayor has a long history of hiding behind others. If he is there he'll deny knowledge. "

    palmeranian wrote on Feb 8, 2010 7:04 AM:

    " I think I'm beginning to understand...it's the gun that makes the action uncivilized.

    If the same act is performed by a kind person in a white coat and a needle, it's civilized.

    The thought process is a little scary really. "

    One animal vs another wrote on Feb 8, 2010 6:15 AM:

    " Feed animals are killed gunshot because 1- we eat them or 2-they are on a farm where the farmer or butcher takes responsiblity. Pets are euthanised by chemical means because we form a relationship with them and don't want to see them in pain. Feral cats and dogs are shot because they cannot be caught and bite. Its not that hard to figure out in a civilized society. but oh wait were in the GREATLAND not Civilizedland. "

    Amazed wrote on Feb 7, 2010 8:12 PM:

    " This type of stuff makes me glad I left Alaska! "

    Chemical Euth wrote on Feb 7, 2010 1:06 PM:

    " I've seen and helped with many. The animal is not restrained other then to insert the IV. Relaxation, eyes close, sleep comes quickly, the heart slows, breathing becomes shallow and finally one last exhale, sometimes of relief.
    I'd wish that myself. "

    Missing the point wrote on Feb 7, 2010 1:01 PM:

    " It's so much about shooting the animals, its the igorant level of animal handling that is the issue. The warehouse that held the animals unless they were chained outside is terrible, dirty, smells bad and had periodic care. Dogs bred there, injuries were ingnored there, and under any animal control regulations, even their own, they would have been shut down. It's not more important than children or people, it reflects who we are. I for one am not a back woods bumpkin, they are a dying breed. Get used to it . "

    Ask the Vet wrote on Feb 6, 2010 11:24 PM:

    " Explain to me in a scientific but layman's brief why a well place gunshot to the head is not 'humane.' Also please define 'humane.' Why is it domestic animals, live stock, game animals, or even humans seem to instantly die from a gunshot? Why is it such a preferred method of suicide? Why is it that animals vomit, convulse, and stager when injected? When humans are injected, they have to be strapped down to hide the side effects, don’t they? "

    palmeranian wrote on Feb 6, 2010 11:05 PM:

    " Dogs are no different than chickens, cows, or pigs. I'm always curious about people who are so appalled about the death of a certain animal, but not others.

    At what point do you draw the line and say one animal can die with a bullet and others not? Where exactly is the line drawn? Is it OK to kill a mouse but not a hamster? Is the fact that it's a pet make it suddenly a more valuable life? "

    whats new wrote on Feb 6, 2010 9:52 PM:

    " it's just new drama month after month in hillbilly houston.

    talk about embarassing! "

    UNBELIEVABLE wrote on Feb 6, 2010 6:50 PM:

    " THis is completely insane! How is this humane at all. I can't believe they would go to this level. I think someones job and this facility needs to be investigated to see why it got to this level. "

    Watch and See wrote on Feb 6, 2010 3:25 PM:

    " I'll bet dollars to pesos that neither Sgt. Seidl nor the Mayor are at the meeting on the 11th. Watch and see. They'll chicken out and leave it up to the council to take the heat. "

    dede wrote on Feb 6, 2010 1:42 PM:

    " eutheonization is the humane thing to to.you know..the place called Humane Society.We are not hunting or fishing here.If i was to shoot my dog id be in trouble cause law says it would be not humane. Id take it to Humane society to hopefully find good home.If anything I would expect it to be euthionized not shot. "

    Adopt or well shoot wrote on Feb 6, 2010 11:18 AM:

    " Fluffy manx kitty at the Houston shelter, alone, no employees, cramped in a cage. Adopt her or they'll shoot
    houston-ak.gov click on animal control "

    To N wrote on Feb 6, 2010 10:43 AM:

    " "Animals are just little people in fur coats"

    Sorry, no they're not. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be treated humanely, but animal are not people. "

    hotpotatoes wrote on Feb 6, 2010 12:18 AM:

    " I hate to say it but as a lower 48 stater this kind of behavior is why your folks get a funny reputation down our way. There's nothing "humane" about a hot metal slug crashing into a defenseless animal's brain. Consider how we react to dogfighting quarterbacks! But, no, Ranger Rick decides that his shelter can't afford to house and feed a few kitties and pups or foster them out, so he says to his boys "Line 'em up!". Meow meow takes her last look at Rin Tin Tin before she hears this sound: Bang! "

    judge for your self wrote on Feb 5, 2010 6:30 PM:

    " Go to you tube and search mayor purcell. houston mayor drives police cruiser "

    houston resident wrote on Feb 5, 2010 5:15 PM:

    " How typical for the mayor to deny any orders. for alll you folks who commented, WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THOSE ANIMALS NEEDED to be Adopted? Everyone makes such a big deal when a police officer shoots an animal, but when a person shoots another or domestic violence happens or a husband/boyfriend shots at a wife/girlfriends its okay! what a bunch of joke, no one every comments or makes a big fuss about that. "

    john harkey wrote on Feb 5, 2010 3:52 PM:

    " Animals raised for food supply are NOT DOMESTIC ANIMALs, nor are wildlife, the word wildlife makes the difference folks, there is no comparison lest it be that some of your posters just DO NOT GET IT! Duh! "

    Layne wrote on Feb 5, 2010 1:56 PM:

    " In these hard economic times people are having to choose between food for their pets or food for their family. Something everyone should think of before they open their doors to pets, but too late in these cases...obviously. Houston has also made a choice. Spend the cities money on pet food for animals that are not wanted or spend it on other public services, such as snow plowing. Had they not made this decision, the volunteers that work at the shelter may not have been able to get to work to feed these animals. "

    N wrote on Feb 5, 2010 12:41 PM:

    " I have spoken to several animal rescurers and that all say the same thing, they called Houston and were told they would be called an never were. This is just bad. Seems liks everyone in Houston is passing the buck and claiming deniablity..that is unacceptable. I'm darn glad I don't live in that town. It's disgusting and embarassing. Animals are just little people in fur coats. "

    Amazed wrote on Feb 5, 2010 12:31 PM:

    " Houston (not really a CITY) the place where drama never dies, Alaska's Twilight Zone...unreal. "

    homesteader wrote on Feb 5, 2010 11:30 AM:

    " How many of you omnivores that think death by bullet even if you don't personally hunt, accept meals of moose, caribou, or bear from time to time, is inhumane? How many of you eat commercially prepared meat? Did you know that animals slaughtered in the USA are killed by a sharp blow to the head? Did you know that livestock slaughtered in Mexico(most of the burger sold at local grocers)is often killed with a KNIFE!? How humane is THAT? You buy it-you support it.

    A well placed bullet to the head is humane. "

    All Creature Lover wrote on Feb 5, 2010 9:36 AM:

    " This is appalling. At my house if we find an animal we put up fliers and usually end up keeping it. Houston should have at least taken the animals to a facillity where they could euthanize them properly. All Houston residents should be ashamed of what the shelter volunteer who did the shooting and whoever gave the order to do so. They should come forward and deal with whatever comes towards them, but as they say it always comes around to bite you in the butt. "

    To Frontiersman wrote on Feb 5, 2010 8:21 AM:

    " Why not allow the Houston Animal Shelter to promote an animal for adoption in your paper. You do it for the MSB. This could actually help let get them adopted instead of killed. "

    palmeranian wrote on Feb 5, 2010 6:50 AM:

    " These animals were shot. Big deal. Many more dogs and cats than that are shot every day of the year in the rest of Alaska.

    It appears that we have too many COWs here. Californians, Oregonians, and Washingtonians don't know how the rest of Alaska puts down an animal.

    It is a humane, quick and easy way to go. "

    tina wrote on Feb 5, 2010 12:19 AM:

    " I think this was cruel .they could have took them to the wasilla shelter and had it done right. if I was to go out and shot my animal I would be prosecuted for cuelty to animal ,so why would it be alright for them to do this, they are suppose to be there to help animals, This was just wrong. Humans should remember the old saying an eye for an eye. "

    Jerry Kaller wrote on Feb 4, 2010 11:13 PM:

    " I hope none of you whiners hunt because if you do you are a bunch of hypocrites. Killing a moose with a gun is no different than killing a dog with a gun. Think about it. Killing is killing. So are you really more upset that they were dogs or more upset they used bullets. I haven't heard anyone on here say word one about hunting. Glass houses and stones tsk tsk! "

    akmom wrote on Feb 4, 2010 10:38 PM:

    " Time to re-write the budget. -animal control and -police. Stick to roads, fire and parks. "

    chance_giver wrote on Feb 4, 2010 10:18 PM:

    " TruthSeeker - I did not say "mansion." Housing. Something modest. Anyone working for the good of the community deserves to be accommodated in a way that allows them to focus on their job. Dishonest? No. Misunderstood, perhaps, but not dishonest. You've obviously been snookered by that terrible, slanderous website. Had you ever met him, you'd know this. He's bigger than life. A visionary man of action. Modest in appearance, yet inspirationally brilliant in intellect. A statesman who will, hopefully, one day occupy the Governor's Mansion. No joke intended. "

    CCapolini wrote on Feb 4, 2010 10:11 PM:

    " Yes, it is hard to afford to care for those with no voice when Roger goes on vacation, buys fire comand centers that is the laughing stock of the valley, and with all those fires Hood must be earning all that new money that he and Roger now make off Houston. You suckers! Stand up for yourself for a change. Houston used to have money for the critters, they used to adopt and had a wonderful reputation for only euthanizing those that were unfit for society, what happened Roger.. thought you were making things better? "

    valley man wrote on Feb 4, 2010 7:55 PM:

    " If nothing elae. I hope this will make houston take another look at priorities. I called mat su animal shelter. and for a euth, with the owner or person responsable taking the body, 25$ per dog. it is more expensive than a bullet. But more humane. "

    Houston Resident wrote on Feb 4, 2010 6:49 PM:

    " dear Clear Creek - finally a sane comment. I am sending a letter. However, it won't make any difference. The council has deaf ears concerning public input. We've tried. "

    Great Place to live wrote on Feb 4, 2010 4:08 PM:

    " Wow they do that to cats and dogs in Houston. I heard the mayor is a Rat. I wonder what they do with those up in Houston. "

    TruthSeeker wrote on Feb 4, 2010 12:57 PM:

    " To Chance_giver: You need to pull your head out. Get involved and you will see the truth. The history speaks for itself. He is only required to be at city hall for 100 hours a month for $1,500. His choice he LIVES there. Second year as Mayor still no money brought into the city for all his travels. Any where from $600 to $800 dollars a month in mileage going to meetings. This guy is as dishonest as a three dollar bill. Yeah lets build him a Mayor mansion in Houston. You are funny! "

    Palmer Farm wrote on Feb 4, 2010 12:46 PM:

    " The hypocrisy of people that eat meat, wear leather, use glue etc then wring their hands over these abandoned animals being put down cracks me up. Almost as much as the clown that states the Iditarod = animal abuse. As already stated, they were in that shelter for THREE MONTHS!! Where were all you bleeding heart whiners during that time? "

    thanks wrote on Feb 4, 2010 10:35 AM:

    " These animals have been available for three months. Shooting the dogs and cats was the humane thing to do. Hello. this is life people. Lets blame the owners who were the one who gave the pound there beloved pets to began with. people don't be so niave. The pound is there to help the animals, becouse the owners FAILED to do so. Where is your Christmas puppy!???Thank-you Animal shelters, another dog and cat i won't hit with my car. "

    TruthSeeker wrote on Feb 4, 2010 10:26 AM:

    " There is NOTHING that takes place at City Hall without Roger giving the okay or placing the orders. The employees walk around on egg shells all the time. They all need their jobs and do not have the guts to stand up to him. The animals being destroyed without question would be ROGERS fault. He has a narcissistic personality trait. (self-image ego, conciet, vanity, and selfishness) He needs the extra money for his travels. "

    Punny Stuff wrote on Feb 4, 2010 9:32 AM:

    " Its a dog gone shame that things ended this way. "

    Pat wrote on Feb 4, 2010 7:30 AM:

    " My question is why did the city not contact any of the animal rescue goups, not a single one of them were notified. If this is how the city operates, the taxpayers should be up in arms about it. It also says a lot about the mayor and the city police. Don't get caught doing anything wrong in Houston and better warm the tourists to be careful. "

    How about you wrote on Feb 4, 2010 6:48 AM:

    " If Evelyn Rohr is so committed to this shelter why doesn't she do something about promoting adoptions of the animals There is a reason the Mat Su shelter has volunteers from Willow to Sutton working on a regular basis. Because Houston shelter is a depressing warehouse run by incompetence. Residents of Houston apparently do not care very much. "

    john harkey wrote on Feb 4, 2010 6:22 AM:

    " Pathetic, no needfor this narrow spot in the road to be any type of city, abolish the city & save those that live there some tax dollars. As for this inhumane situation surely the State AG will intervene with anmal cruelty charges & enforce state law. Do not buy your pets from breeders & stores, get them from the shelters, supporting the 'so called sport' of dog mushing is also supporting animal abuse, they feel free to shoot the less desireable dogs, Iditorod=animal abuse and our local cities give tax dollars to support. Shamefull & Pathetic. "

    Clear Creek Cat Rescue wrote on Feb 3, 2010 11:16 PM:

    " All of us at Clear Creek were sick when we read this story on ADN this morning. CCCR had called Houston less than a month ago and reiterated our offer to take any otherwise adoptable cats that were going to be euthanized. Clear Creek-like all of the local rescues-understands that euthanasia is unavoidable in some situations, but we condemn in- or less-humane methods of euthanasia, and adamantly believe that euthanasia should be used as a solution to homeless pets only after all other options have been exhausted. Letters emailed to me at CCCatRescue@gmail.com will be hand delivered to Thursday's meeting. "

    neanderthal wrote on Feb 3, 2010 10:57 PM:

    " To Good Job Houston: I am so sorry that you had to experience such cruelty at the place where you were raised. It explains your stoic attitude about the Houston officials' action. What we've been doing on our farm is catch stray cats in a trap and have them spayed or neutered, bring'em back to the barn and let them hunt mice. The dog that got in the chicken house lost some of his freedom, but was still welcome in the house because the kids loved him still and took him for more walks on the leash. "

    Up in arms wrote on Feb 3, 2010 10:46 PM:

    " I take it all you whiners are vegetarians? Because if not maybe you should be because let me tell you right now the cows and pigs and chickens are not killed in humane manner. Secondly shouldn't there be some blame on the pet owners who let their animals run loose and third I would like to know how many of you complainers have a dog rescue operation set up at your house. Think about that as you stuff you fat face with a burger from McDonalds. "

    Mad Dog wrote on Feb 3, 2010 10:38 PM:

    " They waited 3 months, much longer than they have to. One bullet to the head, very humane. Bullets are cheaper than narcotics. "

    chance_giver wrote on Feb 3, 2010 10:36 PM:

    " The mayor has been under the gun since he took office. I don't know what his salary is, but it probably isn't very much (according to that lousy houstonrecall website his house just got repossessed). This animal shelter issue is complicated, and we expect the mayor to sort through the complexities while fighting off the constant attacks from all sides, now including the animal rights bunch? Puh-leeze! Pay the man a living wage, perhaps even provide housing for him and his family, and let the man do his job. You'll see. He'll be great. "

    wow is right wrote on Feb 3, 2010 8:53 PM:

    " Is Houston Animal Control part of the Humane Society? It sure doesn't sound like it. Mat-Su has a brand new bigger facility – couldn’t they help in the humane lethal injection of these animals, if there was no other course to take? There are numerous cat and dog rescue places. There is Craig’s List. And if these are “just animals”, as “Good Job Houston” calls them, then why do we have animal shelters to shelter them? Someone might want to check his back yard – I bet he has a big pet cemetery. "

    Bill Zeddies wrote on Feb 3, 2010 7:56 PM:

    " re: dogs shot at Houston.
    Houston, stop the nonsense. You are what you are. Nothing matters but your budgetI. Your revenue, fireworks, make a mess I have never seen a real animal sheter there. They do not work diligently to adopt out animals. Their rescue website has no new listiings. The mayor can claim he knew nothing of the shootings and was in Juneau. Come on now.. He has been threatening this for a long time.
    Houston, ask for volunteers, contact the SPCA, have fund raisers, do your jobs. Oh, and clean up your fireworks messes. "

    valley man wrote on Feb 3, 2010 7:38 PM:

    " Well, i can say that a lot of people are concerned, but I think a lot of people had no idea the shelter existed, there wasnt that much advertising if any. That may have avoided the whole issue. I can only hope it was one shot. "

    Lazy wrote on Feb 3, 2010 6:53 PM:

    " The shooting of these animals was uncalled for yes if the animals had been in the pound for that long I can understand the fact BUT the animal control officer is NEVER available for people to come out to look at animals there is NO ONE trying to save these animals I was under the impresion that they were no longer accepting animals as of October and that they were sending them to Palmer do to the large notice they had posted on their fence saying that anyone who droped off an animal would be fined!!!! Uncalled for! "

    more of the same wrote on Feb 3, 2010 6:29 PM:

    " typical city of houston decision making.

    the funny part is:

    Seidl said Purcell ordered him to do it.

    Purcell denies that.

    Comedy. "

    mayor is spending money in Juneau wrote on Feb 3, 2010 5:29 PM:

    " Maybe, he could have spent a few bucks for the vet. With Roger at the helm, Houston is always in the paper. "

    Apalled wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:59 PM:

    " When missing a pet, I went to the Houston "shelter" (which was manned one time out of the five that I was there). If no one is there, you cannot access the shelter because you are met with a locked gate. Adoptions can't occur if the animals are not made available to the public. This method of disposal is atrocious! Funds need to be made available for a suitable and sanitary facility! "

    Mae wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:13 PM:

    " this is funny.... no one cared when the animals were alive and now everyone is up in arms over how they were "taken care of." Ironic... "

    Homesteader wrote on Feb 3, 2010 3:46 PM:

    " I agree with Good Job Houston.

    Today, too many of the same folks that think a bullet to the head is not humane, have no problems eating meat that came from an animal that was killed by a blow (stun gun) to the head.

    Maybe if some of the Houston folks who are complaining actually volunteered in their local shelter, they would have known that the animals were soon to be euthenized. These animals were at the shelter since NOVEMBER for goodness sakes! "

    life wrote on Feb 3, 2010 3:41 PM:

    " a dead cat is a happy cat "

    Disgusted wrote on Feb 3, 2010 3:41 PM:

    " Houston's animal control center facilites, actions and officers were a complete joke. Wasilla made a good choice in not renewing the contract for the services from these morons. Incompetent is an understatement for how these so called officers operated. While I am completely disgusted with how they 'humanely' killed off the rest of their 'inmates' they are probably better off than staying in the crap hole they called a shelter. Houston, and former Houston animal control center officers, you are an embarassment to this fine State!! "

    Lil Su wrote on Feb 3, 2010 3:11 PM:

    " You know what really gets me? People more concerned over a bunch of dogs and cats over the abuse that some children face daily. "

    Good Job Houston wrote on Feb 3, 2010 2:55 PM:

    " I was raised on a farm where we shot our animals for many different reasons. Dog was mean or killed chickens. Dead. Stray cat makes our barn it's home. Dead. Not to mention the fox who would stalk our chickens. Come on folks they are animals. Yes it is sad but all you people screaming let me ask you how much time or money do you donate to the animal shelter. How many dogs on death row have you taken from the shelter to adopt out. You people only speak up after the fact. Not very proactive but typical. "

    Alaska Dog News wrote on Feb 3, 2010 2:47 PM:

    " The Houston shelter is just a few miles from the Big Lake vet who apparnantly is too expensive for Houston. Too expensive to do the right thing. I guess if there is motivation to keep your pets in check this is it. No authorty in the professional animal world approves of this method of euthanasia including the Alaska State Veterinarian's office. Anyone wishing to start a responsable animal shelter to house Houston's animals will get,after an inspection, space in Alaska Dog News and help promoting adoption. contact alaskadognews.com "

    First Class wrote on Feb 3, 2010 2:43 PM:

    " Houston Mayor Roger Purcell claims that they should be a first class city yet this is how those chose to end the animal's life. I am not saying that it is not considered a humane method but perhaps morally another option should have been chosen due to the location and availablity of options.

    On the other hand......there seems to have been many armchair quarterbacks questioning the actions leading up prior to the euthanasia. Had so many people actually been concerned perhaps the euthanasia would not have been necessary at all. Don't just voice....Act. Adopt, rescue, foster. No whining. "

    Houston shame wrote on Feb 3, 2010 1:12 PM:

    " The conditions at the Houston shelter have been an abomination for years. The shelter is rarely manned, animals cared for spiratically. That the residents allow it to be this way should be the shame of Houston. With a veterinary office just a few miles away they felt that a bullet was the best method? How many shots did it take? Houston you are disgusting. "

    Just wondering wrote on Feb 3, 2010 1:11 PM:

    " why they didn't put anything in the paper. The 1st I heard about it was reading it in the ADN. It would be nice to know what steps were taken BEFORE the order was given. This is disgusting. "

    wow wrote on Feb 3, 2010 1:04 PM:

    " "After that period, the city can either adopt or dispose of the animals in a humane manner"...last time i checked putting your rifle to a dog/cats head is not considered "HUMANE". Perhaps they could have hired a veterinarian from Palmer or Wasilla to come out and lethally inject the pets. Just a thought... "

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